Slug or bunch catcher



March 4, 1930. T. JI SANDS 1,749,511

SLUG 0R BUNCH CATGHER Filed July 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 4, 1930. T. J. SANDS 1,749,511

SLUG OR BUNCH CATCHER Filed July 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 4, 1930 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES THOMAS J. SANDS, OI AUBURN, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL FINDING COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS SLUG OR BUNCH CATCHER Application filed July 8, 1925. Serial No. 42,289.

This invention relates to improvements in slugor bunch-catchers for removing slugs, bunches, large knots, and other irregularitles from yarn, thread and other filaments. My

improved slug-catcher is particularly adapted for use with winding or other textile machines employed in transferring yarn and thread from one holder or container to another, such as in winding the material from bobbins on to spools or cops. 0

A principal object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified WhlCh is elficient in use, convenient to ad ust and manipulate, and positive in action under all conditions.

Another object of the invention 1s to provide a device which may be accurately adjusted, either singly or in multiple, for yarns and threads of different sizes, with a mlcrometer-like control of the adjustment.

Another object of the invent-ion 18 to provide a device of the type specified which w1ll act positively to either remove the slug, bunch, mote, or other obstruction from the yarn, or to break the strand when the slug or bunch cannot be scraped or freed therefrom.

Another object of the invention 1s to pro vide a device of the type specified through which the yarn or thread is free to travel under normal conditions without undue friction or strain tending to weaken the filament, but which will act automatically and positively to detect a slug, bunch or other obstruction and to either remove the same or break the strand to allow its removal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which is proof against wear, deterioration, or breakage to render it more durable in use.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes several embodlments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is'an elevation showing two of my improved slugor bunch-catchers coupled for simultaneous adjustment, and illustrat ing the parts in difierent position to show the manner of operation of the device;

2 is a plan view of the device, partsectronal on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

F g. 3 is an end view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the slugcatching element or gripper employed with the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing two of the devices in modified form;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the modified form of device shown in Fi 5;

Fig. 7 is a part-sect onal plan view of this form of device taken on the line 77 of Fig. 5;

ig. 8 is. a perspective view of the slugcatching element or gripper employed with the form of device shown in Figs. 5 to 7;

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing a still further modified form of the device; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 9.

The invention consists in general in providing an improved device for acting on a running yarn, thread, or other filament to detect slugs, bunches, knots or enlargements therein, with means for automatically bringing the slug or other obstruction into engagement with a catching-element or gripper which either scrapes off the obstruction or seizes the latter to break the strand so that the irregular or defective part may be removed and the ends pieced up again. A particular feature of the present invention resides in the peculiar and novel arrangement and construction of the device whereby the yarn or other filament is normally free from contact with the slug-catching or clearing element and is only carried into engagement therewith when a slug or other obstruction is detected to cause the automatic operation of the gripper or strand-breaking means.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, my improved slugor bunch-catcher is preferably constructed of sheet-metal, stamped out and struck u in dies to form a skeleton frame 2. The ramework 2 consists of a vertical back-plate 3 having a strip or extension 4 bent at right-angles thereto and projecting rearwardly in a loop 5 adapted to enclose a horizontal rod 6 which serves as the support for one or a plurality of the devices, see also Fig. 3. The rod 6 may be a part of, or attached tOythG frame of the winding machine or other apparatus with which the slug-catcher is employed, and the loop 5 has an extension 7 for receiving a bolt 8 passing through the strip or arm 4. On the bolt 5 on the 8 1s a nut 9 for clamping the loopid dl r1g1 y rod 6 whereby the frame 2 is he and securely in position.

Extending forwardly in perpendlcular relation to the back-plate 3 at the top and bottom thereof are wings 10 and 11, shown in plan view in Fig. 2, it being understood that the wings at the upper part of the frame are of the same form as the bottom ones illustrated in this view. Set into the opposed edges of the two wings 10 and 11 are threadeyes 12, preferably constructed of vitreous material, such as glass or porcela1n,to resist wear. from the travel of the thread therethrough. The thread-eyes 12 have slits or openings 13 on one side, see Fig. 2, and communicating therewith is a tortuous threadpassage 14 formed by the opposed flaring edges of the two wings 10 and 11, the point or projection 15 on the wing 11 being received in a similarl -shaped notch 16 cut into the wing 10. his construction provides that when the yarn or thread y is introduced into the thread-eyes 12 by drawing it laterally through the thread-passage 14 it will be prevented from whipping or flymg out as it travels rapidly through the device.

Above the bottom wing 10 the metal of the frame 2 is sheared away at 19 and bent forwardly in a strip 20 which stands perpens dicular to the back-plate 3 with its vertical face in a plane coinciding with the common axis of the two thread-eyes 12. The strip 20 forms an abutment or rest against which the thread or am 3 is adapted to bear as it draws upwar ly. through the thread-e es 12. The outer end of the strip 20 is pre erably bent around at 21, as shown in Fig.2, to adapt it to guide the strand into place as the latter is drawn through the thread-passages 14 between the edges of the wings 10 and 11 to introduce it into the thread-eyes 12 in threading up the device.

At the back of the frame 2 is a vertical lever 25 pivoted at its lower end to the plate 3 by means of a stud or rivet 26, see Fig. 3. The lever 25 carries a stud or bearing 27 located at a slight distance above its pivot and projecting forwardly through a slot 28 in the back-plate 3. Hinged on the stud 27 is the slug-catching or gripping element 30, shown in perspective view in Fig. 4. The slug-catching member or gripper 30 is preferably constructed of sheet-metal, having a horizontal arm 31 consisting of a flat plate with upturned cars 32 at its end. The ears 32 are pierced or punched with holes 33 for receiving the stud or bearing 27 on the lever 25, being held between a head 34 on the stud and an abutment or collar 35 at its inner end. A narrowed portion 36 of the gripper 30 ex tends upwardly at right-angles to the arm 31 and is then bent or inclined forwardly in the widened portion or blade 37. Extendin outwardly from the inner edge of the blade 37 is a tapering slit 38, the opposite sides of which form jaws for scraping the yarn or thread to remove loose slugs, motes, or bunches, and acting to grip or bite the strand when an obstruction appears which cannot be scraped oil from the yarn. The slug-catching element or gripper 30 normally stands inthe position il ustrated at the left in Fig. 1, with its main arm 31 horizontal and resting on a lug or ear 39 sheared from the backplate 3 and bent forwardly at right-angles thereto. The. upright portion 36 of the gripper 30 is maintained in vertical position opposite to and spaced slightly away from the thread-rest or abutment 20 which projects forwardly from the back-plate 3.

The relation of the gripper 30 to the thread-rest or abutment 20 is adjusted by swinging the supporting lever 25 on its pivot 26, the lever being moved through the means of a horizontal slide or rod 40.to which it is connected at its upper end. As shown in Fig. 2, the rod 40 is mounted to slide in a bearing formed by a lug 41 bent rearwardly from the side of the back-plate 3, and in some instances the rod may extend between two or more slug-catchers used in multiple on the winding or other machine, so that all of the devices can be adjusted in unison. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the rod 40 may carry collars 42 having screws 43 inserted through slots 44 at the top of the levers 25 and screwed into the collars and against the rod. Through this arrangement the sliding movement of the rod 40 will cause the lever 25 to be rocked back and forth to adjust the gripper 30 toward or away from the abutment 20 to regulate the space between these elements in accordance wlth the size of the yarn being operated upon. Through this means a very fine micrometer adjustment may be made, since the moving of the lever 25 through a considerable are at the top will cause shifting of the gripper 30 with respect to the thread-rest 20 only very slightly owing to the disparity between the full length of the lever and the distance between its pivot and the pivot-mounting for the gripper 30.

The rod 40 may be slid or adjusted longitudinally with respect to one or a plurality of the slug-catchers to adjust the position of the gripper or grippers 30 through any suitable means. As illustrated at the left in Fig. 1, the rod 40 is slidable through a hub 45 which forms a part of afixed bearin 46 secured to the main rod 6 on which the s ugcatchers are mounted. At either side of the hub 45 are suitable nuts 47 engaging with upon. After the adjustment is completed the opposite nut is tightened against the hub 45 to hold the parts in fixed relation.

The method of operation of the device in the form as above described is as next explained: The thread or yarn y, illustrated in Fig. 1 in exaggerated size, is threaded into the thread-eyes 12 by drawing it laterally through the thread-passages 14 to cause it to follow the edges of the guiding-wings 10 and 11 to introduce it into the thread-eyes. The yarn or thread usually leads upwardl from a supply-cop or bobbin and draws t rough the slug-catcher to the rotating spindle of the winding machine or other apparatus in which the yarn is being transferred or converted from bobbin to cop or package. As the yarn 3 travels up through the guide-eyes 12 it will draw across the face of the rest 20 between the rest and the upright arm 36 of the gripper 30. passing on the inner side of the slitted blade 37. Under normal conditions the yarn draws through the device in this manner without obstruction from .the gripper 30 which is adjusted in relation to the thread-rest or abutment 20 to allow the iyl'arn to pass freely therebetween. When,

owever, a slug, bunch, or other enlargement, suchas represented at b to the right in Fig. 1, appears in the yarn its free passage between the rest 20 and the detector part of the gripper 30 will be obstructed to cause the gripper to be tilted upwardly on its pivot, as shown at the right in Fig. 1. The tilting or rocking action of the gripper 30 will then carry it into position to cause the yarn to be entered into the tapering slit 38 in the gripper-blade 37. If the enlargement or obstruction in the yarn consists simply of a mote or a bunch of loose flufi it will be scraped off before lifting the gripper, or in some cases by the blade 37, and the gripper 30 will then drop back into normal position as shown at the left in Fig. 1. When, however, the obstruction .consists of a slug tangled in the strands of the yarn, or a bunch or knot that cannot be scraped 01f from the thread, it will cause the gripper 30 to be raised to such an extent that the strand will be wedged into the narrowest portion of the slit 38 and tightly gripped to hold it from further travel through the device, thus causing the strand to be broken. Usually the winding or other machine is provided with automatic stopping-means for arresting its operation when the strand breaks or is exhausted and such action will eventuate when the strand breaks in the slug-catcher. After the machine 'is stopped in this manner the operator breaks out the portionof the yarn having the imperfection or irregularity and, after piecing the ends together, threads up the device again in the manner as first de scribed. It will be observed that the gripper 30 acts first as a detector todetect any irregularities in the traveling yarn or thread without normally subjecting the latter to a scraping action or to frictional resistance or strain, the only contact of the yarn with the operating parts of the device being on the smooth faces of the thread-rest 20 and upright arm 36 of the gripper- 30. The

yarn is therefore not subjected to undue wear or strain except when the gripper is automatically operated to seize and break the strand if the slug or enlargement cannot be scraped off.

In Figs. 5 to 8 a modified form of the device is illustrated in which the yarnor thread-gripper is constructed separate from the slug-detector. In this embodiment of the invention the frame 50 has up erand lower guide-wings 51 and 52 rovid ed with thread-eyes 53 through whic the yarn 3 draws. The frame 50 is attached to a solid arm 54, shown in Fig. 6, which is fastened to the supporting rod 6 by any suitable means such as a set-screw. The thread-rest 55 is made separate from the frame 50 and is ad- 'ustable laterally thereon to regulate the space etween the rest and the detector 65. As shown more particularly in Fig. 7 the thread rest 55 com rises an arm 56 pivoted at the top to the ack-plate of the frame 50 by means of a screw 57. The arm 56 has a forwardly extending portion 55 forming the rest proper and terminates in a rearwardly extending guide-finger 59 bent back across the thread-opening in the lower guidewing 52.

The arm 56 of the thread-rest 55 has a rearwardly extending ear 60 provided with a hole through which projects a horizontal rod or pin 61. The rod 61 is held in a hole in the bearing-arm 54 and its outer end is threaded to receive nuts 62 abutting the sides of the ear 60 on the thread-rest 55' By adjusting the nuts 62 along the rod 61 the thread-rest 55 may be adjusted laterally to set it in proper position with relation to the end of the detector 65.

The slug-detector 65 consists simply of a flat blade or lever having upturned ears 66 pivoted on a stud 67 screwed into the backplate of the frame 50, see Fig. 7. Above the detector 65 is a fixed guard 68 comprising a sheet-metal arm fastened to the back of the frame 50 by means of screws 69. The guard 68 extends forwardly at right-angles to the back-plate of the frame 50, with its outer end bent around at 70, see Fig. 7. The lower edge of the guard 68 is curled upwardly in a lip 71 arranged in position to just clear the yarn y as it draws up through the threadeyes 53.

Pivoted on the frame 50 above the guard 68 is a separate slug-catching member or gripper 75. This latter element may conslst of a flat slitted blade similar to the blade 37' of the gripper previously described, but in othercases I may emplo the toothed griper-blade 75 illustrated in detail in Flg. 8.

n this latter construction the gripper 75 has with its teeth restingagainst the guard 68 so that the yarn y is prevented from contact therewith by the lip 71 on the guard. The

gripper 75 is connected to be moved from the detector 65 by means of a link 80. The link 80 may consist of a relatively narrow strip of sheet-metal having a loop at either end hooked around a strip 81 which projects across an opening in the gripper 75 and a similar strip or bar 82 bridging an opening 83 in the detector 65.

With the arrangement of the device as last described the yarn y draws up through the thread-eyes 53 in the wings 51 and 52 of the frame 50, leading between the thread-rest 55 and the outer end of the detector lever 65. When a slug, bunch or enlargement, such as represented at 6, appears in the yarn it will be obstructed from passing through the space between the thread-rest 55 and the detector and will therefore cause the detector to be raised as shown at the right in Fig. 5. The raising of the detector 65 acts throu h the connecting link 80 to tilt the gripper 5 upwardly to throw its toothed edge against the yarn y drawing up across the lip 71 on the guard 68. The teeth 78 on the gripper 75 will therefore be caused to bite into the yarn and as the detector brings up against the under side of the guard 68 the gripper will be restrained from further motion whereby the strand will be held and broken in the manner as previously explained in connection with the first described embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate a still further modified form of the invention in which the yarnor thread-gripper consists of a fixed slitted blade 95 cooperating with a movable detector 90 arranged to throw the yarn into the slit in the blade. 8 The frame or support for the operating parts of the slug-catcher consists simply of a vertical plate 85 having wire pigtails 86 projecting from its forward face to serve as the guides for the yarn :1; drawing through the device.

A thread-rest 87 is arranged between the two igtails 86' with its curved face 88 adapted to be set in position for the yarn to draw thereacross. The thread-rest 87 may be pivoted to the plate 85 by means of ascrew 89 whereby the rest may be rocked or tilted to move its curved face 88 toward or away from the end of the detector-lever 90,to regulatirthe space between these two elements. The detector 90 consists of a flat plate having cars 91 hinged on a stud 92 screwed into the main plate or support 85. The detector 90 normally stands in horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 9, v

resting on a pin 93 driven into the plate 85.

The gripper or slug-catcher proper consists in a blade 95 fastened to the front of the plate and offset therefrom at an angle to the vertical. The lower edge of the gripper 95 is set back clear of the yarndrawing through the pig-tails 86, and extending rearwardly from this edge is the tapering slit 96, shown more particularly in Fig. 10. The detector carries a wire thread-bail 97 reaching upwardly therefrom with a horizontal extension or arm '98 projecting outwardly across the yarn 3 as it draws upwardly from the threadrest 87. The wire thread-bail 97 is bent at rightangles at its lower end and'soldered or otherwise suitably secured to the upper face of the detector 90. v

In this last described embodiment of the invention the yarn 3 normally draws through the device without contact with the fixed gripper 95, but when the detector90 is swung upwardly by the slu or bunch I) engaging its outer end, as shown by dotted linesin Fig. 9, the wire bail 97 will carry the strand into the slot 96 in the gripper whereby the slug or obstruction will be scraped from the strand or the yarn gripped and broken in the manner as previously explained with reference to the operation of the invention in its other embodiments.

It will be observed that my invention in any of the forms shown provides a positively acting detector for detecting irregularities or defects in the yarn to cause the operation of the slug-catchlng means to either scrape the slug or other obstruction free of the yarn or to seize it and cause breakage of the strand .whereby the slug, bunch, or other irregularity may be eliminated by removing a length of the strand. In'each instance the yarn passes through the slug-catcher without being submitted to undue friction or abrasion, that is, without being scraped, strained or weakened in any way and without affecting its inherent softness. Nevertheless, the device acts instantly and positively to either remove the structure and arrangement of the mechanism of the device other than those herein shown without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself to the exact embodiments shown and described I claim:

1. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a pivoted detector-lever across which the yarn is normally free to travel, and a slitted blade carried by said detector-lever and adapted,to be thrown into position to cause the yarn to be seized in its slit to arrest its travel to break the strand when a slug or other obstruction on the yarn acts to move the detector-lever.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a rest across which the yarn draws, a pivoted detector arranged with its end in spaced relation with respect to the rest to 20 adapt the strand to draw freely therebetween and a slitted gripper-blade movable by and with the detector when the latter is engaged by a slug or other obstruction on the yarn to cause it to be thrown into the path of the :5 traveling yarn to seize the latter to arrest its travel to break the strand.

3. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a frame, a thread-rest on said frame across which the yarn draws, and a combined slug-detector and gripper consisting in a rockable lever having a main arm, an upright arm arranged in spaced relation to the thread-rest, and a slitted gripper-blade carried by the upright arm above the threadrest, said detector and grip er adapted to operate in the manner and or the purpose substantially as described.

4. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a frame a thread-rest on said 0 frame across which the yarn draws, and a detector pivoted to the frame with its end in spaced relation with respect to the threadrest and formed with an extension compris ing a slitted gripper-blade adapted to be thrown into position to seize the yarn in its slit when said detector is moved by the engagement therewith of a slug or enlargement on the strand passing through the device.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

THOMAS J. SANDS. 

